Occupational Therapist Duties

Occupational therapists are specialists who find new ways for people going through physical, emotional and mental trauma to overcome their condition and lead normal, happy and satisfying lives. They examine and treat patients of all ages, from elderly people to children suffering from adverse situations or serious disorders. Here are some occupational therapist duties to bear in mind.

Although there are many jobs in OT, this article highlights some of the typical duties of an occupational therapist when working. It outlines their different roles and responsibilities including everything from treatment and supervision to evaluation and supervision.

Evaluation/Re-Evaluation

Assess the functional abilities of the client, including cognitive, emotional, sensory and physical components to evaluate whether occupational therapy intervention is necessary. The Occupational therapist will take into account a patient’s history, goals, and context for treatment when determining a treatment plan.

Treatment

Assist the client to achieve the goals outlined in their treatment plan by providing therapeutic activity, self-care/home management training, wound care, wheelchair management, sensory integration techniques, development of cognitive skills, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and neuromuscular re-education. Modalities utilized may include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, whirlpool, paraffin baths and biofeedback.

Discharge

The OT ensures patient safety at discharge and continuation of progress by providing recommendations for continued therapy in less restrictive settings, family/caregiver instruction, home exercise programs, and recommendations for assistive equipment. Planning for discharge should begin at the evaluation and continue through the course of treatment. Planning and coordinating discharge should also be done in conjunction with physicians, the client and family members, social workers and other healthcare practitioners.

Supervision

Supervising OT assistants, OT students and OT aides according to the standards set by the American Occupational Therapy Association, the facility and the state of employment.

Maintenance of The Occupational Therapy Department’s Integrity

The occupational therapist has a critical role to play in maintaining professional expertise through continued education as appropriate for providing specific treatments and as necessitated by licensing. They should also work toward developing the occupational therapy department by reviewing best practices annually.

Summary of Duties

Examining the condition of patients and analyzing their needs.
Providing customized services to patients.
Educating a patient’s employer and family about their needs and how to provide adequate medical care to them.
Reviewing progress and upgrading prescribed treatments if necessary.
Keeping an eye on their patients’ medical condition.
Examining the workplace and home of the patients, and making potential changes according to the patient’s health requirements.
Organizing rehab groups for clients and caregivers.
Helping children participate in school activities.
Promoting maximum independence by selecting and constructing therapies according to an individual’s interest, physical capacity, and intelligence level.
Maintaining professional competence by participating in professional societies, establishing personal networks, reviewing professional publications and attending professional workshops.
Preparing reports and attending multidisciplinary case meetings to review and decide the continuing treatment.

Bottom Line

Understanding some of the occupational therapist duties helps you to learn more about what they do. Whether you’re looking to work as an occupational therapist or looking to find and hire one, the duties mentioned help you to understand their role and what you need to look for.